⚓ Navy Blues (Navy Series #2) ⚓ (1989) – Book Review

MY REVIEW

Series: Navy Series (Book #2)

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Silhouette (June 1, 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0373218451

ISBN-13: 978-0373218455

“Despite her ex-husband's bullheadedness, Carol Kyle knew he'd be the perfect man to father the child she so desperately wanted. Yet she also realized that the strong, honorable man would never allow his child to be raised without a father.

So Carol needed to plot, to plan, to maneuver, to seduce Steve into her bed for one last time . . . and then leave once more.

Still, the passion when they were together was never the problem -- it was the absences that tore them apart. Had they grown enough to chance trying again -- especially when Carol's plan seemed about to work?”

Originally issued March 1, 1989; this is the second book in Debbie Macomber’s “Navy” series, previously issued as Silhouette Special edition #518:

As much as I love her writing (Heart of Texas/Promise, Texas series; Cedar Cove Series; Blossom Street Series; and Dakota Series – have yet to read the “Rose Harbor” series) – this “Navy” series after two books, is starting to wear on me. Believe it or not, this book is listed under EROTICA.

If you are familiar with Macomber’s work, that is almost hard to believe.

Since I had “Navy Wife”, I got the rest of the books: “Navy Blues”, “Navy Brat”, and “Navy Woman”. I also need “Navy Baby” and “Navy Husband” (part of the “Navy Families” book), which I am not sure I want after reading this one.

[Debbie Macomber's Navy Series]

[Navy Series #2 - Navy Blues]

This book features Steve Kyle, the older brother of Lindy (“Navy Wife”), who is divorced from his wife Caro. The reason? Her “alleged” infidelity – this is based on a miscommunication which is never really clarified.

Carol, hearing her biological clock ticking, wants a baby. Knowing her ex-husband, and still having feelings for him, thinks he’s perfect to be the father. This is despite the fact he accused her of cheating on him which lead to their divorce.

She tricks him into spending Christmas with her – and that doesn’t do the trick. One month later, she’s lucky – she’s pregnant. Thinking they’re on solid footing again, and might re-kindle their romance, she waits to tell him the good news until he returns from sea duty.

Steve isn’t happy – he isn’t even pleased. He, throughout most of the book, believes the baby is someone else’s and grows to “try to accept” the child because he loves Carol. Carol is heart-broken. She has emergency surgery which thankfully doesn’t result in the pregnancy terminating which Steve isn’t too upset about – that way when they try again (which isn’t needed), there would be no question of who the father is.

This constant tug-of-war isn’t resolved until nearly the birth of the child.

To be candid – this novel was half-way titled properly “Blues”. It made me heart-broken for Carol that Steve was such an a$$. I’m sorry, but as much as I love a good romance – I wouldn’t go back to someone who thought I was dishonest or unfaithful when I hadn’t been – especially being pregnant. More of this seemed to be Steve’s own insecurities which were, dare I say, immature. I agree with one reviewer with the amount of anger and resentment shown by Steve. Also, while I understand that military life isn’t easy, I don’t think the way Steve acted outside of his work was conduct unbecoming. I felt Carol was too needy. Yes, she still loved him, but the miscommunication and his distrust of her was insulting to her.

Again, the graphic sex scenes are a turn off and I felt like a voyeur for reading them. Some might like it, others may not. Since this is just my opinion and preference – take it for what it is worth. For me, it’s an FYI to future readers who might want the cleaner romances.

Since this is some of Debbie’s earlier work, and a “notorious” Harlequin romance novel, I gave it a chance. This is not her best work, however If not for these early novels we perhaps wouldn’t have some of the better work today. Anyone wanting an introduction to her work – I’d recommend the series I mentioned earlier in this review.

I’ve read “Navy Brat” which I will be reviewing, and am in the middle of “Navy Woman”.

2⭐⭐/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Previous Book in the Series:

Series: Navy Series (Book #1)
Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Silhouette; Remastered ed. edition (February 1, 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0373218443

ISBN-13: 978-0373218448

“Falling for a man in uniform can be hard . . .

New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber weaves emotional tales of love and longing. Here is the first of her celebrated NAVY series!

Impulsive, wounded, vulnerable, Lindy Kyle was unprepared for a roommate like Rush Callaghan. Strong, sensitive and sexy, the temporarily dry-docked naval officer was everything she'd ever dreamed of in a man . . . in a husband.

But Rush placed duty to his country above all else. Though he and Lindy were swept away on a tide of passion, he was called back to sea. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder -- but will their marriage survive their partings? ”

This was initially issued in November 1, 1988 as Silhouette Special Edition #494.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

[Picture taken from back of book]